Lean Six Sigma saves time and money

What is a surefire way to get your boss’s attention? Try presenting them with a plan to save your organization both time and money.

One way to come up with such a plan is Lean Six Sigma, a process-improvement program that companies around the globe use to identify problems and deliver data-driven solutions. The program also promises to supply cost savings — as much as $100,000 annually in some cases.

But it’s not just businesses that can benefit from Lean Six Sigma. Recently, the city of San Diego had seven of its staff members go through a 16-week program at UC San Diego Extension to help them find ways to improve customer service and efficiency. The results speak for themselves. Using the tenets of Lean Six Sigma, city staff came up with ways to reduce 911 wait times, expedite street light maintenance, and improve customer service for libraries and infrastructure projects.

Almis Udrys, director of the city’s Performance and Analytics Department, said he saw the UC San Diego Extension’s Lean Six Sigma training as a way to help city staff begin to look at the problems facing San Diego in new ways.

“I see this training as opening a door to a new culture at the city — a culture that embraces innovation, data-enabled decision-making and a commitment to continuous improvement,” Udrys said. “It really is an extension of Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s vision for a city government that is as innovative as the people it serves.”

Hugo Villar, director of business, science and technology at UC San Diego Extension, said the partnership with the city of San Diego is part of UCSD Extension’s larger mission to ensure organizations and individuals have the skills they need to bolster the region’s economy and quality of life.

“In this rapidly changing world, we know employees need to constantly add new skills to advance their careers and to benefit the organizations where they work,” Villar said. “Our Lean Six Sigma courses enable people to identify problems and come up with innovative solutions.

“The results of this program really add up, which is why Mayor Faulconer and the City Council have been so supportive of our efforts,” Udrys said. “Every productivity gain, no matter how small, means a better experience for each resident, in line with the city’s mission to effectively serve and support our San Diego community.”

Want to find out how you can save your organization both time and money with Lean Six Sigma Black Belt? Visit extension.ucsd.edu/LeanSixSigma, call (858) 534-8133 or email ProcessPrograms@ucsd.edu.

Jennifer Davies is the assistant dean of external affairs for UCSD Extension. She can be reached at jadavies@ucsd.edu.